Crime and Punishment in Early Massachusetts, Part of the NEHGS' First Fridays lecture series, 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston

In early Boston and the Massachusetts Bay Colony crime and punishment were key aspects of maintaining community solidarity and security. The Puritan churches and the civil government both defined appropriate behavior and took action when rules were broken. This talk describes the relationship between the two institutions and emphasizes the civil role of laws and courts to apply sanctions ranging from minor shaming to corporal punishments, imprisonment, and death.Registration is not required, but recommended. Register today!